The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Annual Report of Postmaster
General Villas.
Giving Figures, and Making Sug-
gestions for Next Year.

According to the annual report OF Post
master General Villas there has been marked
improvement in the affairs Of this depart
ment during tho year. The revenues, owing
to an extension of the limits of mailable mat
ter of the fourth class, the profits Of the
special delivery system AMI the increased EN-
ployment Uf all the facilities offered by the
postal system, an increase due to
the continued prosperity of business through
out tho country. have steadily increased,
while the expenditures have not increased in
proportion. The net gain of revenues over
the preceding year is very nearly 5000, ,OOO,
while the increase Of expenses has been
only S2,000,OJ0, so that the burden of
S7,0O),O0O which fell on the general
to 81, ,0OO, 900 for the past fiscal year. In view
of this. after expressing the hope that the
revenues will not be further crippled by legis-
lation, the report says that surplus may be
reasonably anticipated in the coming
year. Although appeals for changes
in the rates on matters Of various
kinds are anticipated, the report deprecates
any lessening of the rates at present, but it
adds that 1.-The time is probably not distant
when, if the wisest measures Of economy be
pursued, the rate of charge upon letters can
be properly lowered to one cent an ounce, and
some diminishment permitted in the postages
upon merchandise and other matter"
although the rates on all matter are lower
in this country than in any other if the
distances to which mailable matter is trans
ported be taken into account.
The appointment Of postmasters during
the year receives early attention in the re-
port. The total number of commissions
Issued were 13,079, Of which G,S63
were on account of the expirations of
commissions, and 2,5S4 on removals or
suspensions. Among these were S9S that
class there are i, 149 Postmasters and of the
entire number 3l3 appointed under former
Administration remain in Office.
In discussing the compensation paid to
Postmasters, the injustice done to certain
Postmasters Of the third class is referred
ters of this class, which includes the
Offices that transact business running
from sl,gO) to $1,000 a year, are
obliged to pay from 1000 to s1,300 per
year of their salaries, besides giving their
own attention to the business, although their
salaries do not exceed 81 800 a year. Thus,
some postmasters net 5000 or $500 year only
ness, when the postmasterS who happen to do
over SS, 900 worth of business receive s., 900 a
year net.
The report proposes that an architect and
suitable assistants be assigned to the Post
Office Department., and that the sui plus rev.
enues of the department be used to erect suit
able postoffices in cities where the Govern
ment should own such buildings. The present
system of crowdng the Post Office Unto the
Easements" Of Government buildings erected
as Post Offices, but devoted chiefly to courts
and other business disconnected with the
postal service, is said to be extravagant and
discreditable generally, and particularly OBJ
noxious to the employees Of the Post Offices.
It is asserted that new buildings much more
suitable than those hitherto built in similar
places can be erected for from $1,000 to
$4,000, and even allowing what would be
needed to buy land, fifty cities could be sup
piled with fine Post Office buildings for ST.
0OO,0 900.
OF the free delivery system the report says
that there should be no hesitation in pro-
diding every city and town in the United
ness interests and local conditions
are such as to make it of an advantage
compensatory to its cost. The special
delivery system has not commanded any in
crease Of Importance but it paid the Gov
ernment s29,O00. The delivery boys earned
an average .of S102S for delivering letters
within twenty one minutes, on the average,
after they were received.
The Government Is urged to buy or build
its own cars for carrying the inland
mails. The figures show that all the
cars now used in the service could be
replaced new, and maintained for
one year, for s1,S46,240, although
the department paid 81, ,sSl, $50 for the use of
the old and in many cases unsuitable cars
that carried the mail lastyea This pay for
the use Of the cars was in addition to the
regular pay for transporting the mails
One subsidy is recommended. the payment
Of 1000 or 81 600 month for monthly
service between New York and the River
Plate. The Argentine Republic offers $780,
600 year for such service, and there is
strong pressure from New York merchants
for the establishment of the line.
The report earnestly recommends the re-
moval OF the prohibition against advertising
and printing on wrappers of third and fourth
class matter, so that they do not extend to
communications of the nature Of correspond
enco.